Alden 9220P Ease-out Broken Light Bulb Remover 2 Piece Set

I had a blown out light bulb in a fan light that's located high on a vaulted ceiling. I have to stand on a 6-foot step ladder to reach it, and even then it's difficult to remove spent bulbs. So when this bulb shattered I left it alone until the LIGHT BULB REMOVER arrived. I didn't turn off the circuit, just the light switch. The tool worked beautifully, and the messy burned-out bulb came out easily. I did not need the extra piece because my bulb had nothing left inside for the accessory to grip. But the basic tool pressed against the threaded metal end - from the inside - as I turned the tool to unscrew the remainder of the bulb. The clear plastic ring cannot catch glass shards, but it would protect your hand while in use. I recommend you wear eye glasses or other EYE PROTECTION from the inevitable pieces of glass that remain if your bulb is in an overhead fixture. The black lines in the picture are actually raised, smooth plastic surfaces to help your hand grip the tool. I recommend that every home have this tool. You won't use it as often as a hammer or screwdriver, but when you need it you'll be glad you were prepared!

Small bulb tool did not work.

Forty years ago I worked for the electric company as a field serviceman and they gave us a tool we called reverse pliers. It was shaped similar to a set of needle-nose pliers but with prongs on the outside, so when you squeezed, the head opened and the prongs gripped. We used it to remove broken fuses, but it worked great for broken light bulbs too. For the last 20 years or so, I've looked for a tool like this, and have found none for sale, even on the specialty websites. During those years, I ended up with four useless light fixture sockets with broken bulbs that I couldn't figure out how to remove any other way (i.e., couldn't get them out with a potato, removal tool for broken end of PVC pipe, etc). I found the Alden tools on Amazon looking for the reverse pliers. They didn't look like much, but they worked like a charm. I found the little tool especially useful for remove the small-socket candelabra-type bulbs, as the filament stem often remains in the socket along with the bulb base, and the groove in the little tool fits right over that filament stem and helps grip the bulb to get it out. The big one works just fine on the regular bulb sockets, and the little shield keeps broken glass from raining down on your hand. I'm set for the next 20 years.

We have been having a lot of problems with light bulbs breaking in the socket as we were removing the bulbs. People recommend using a raw potato, but that did not work for us; we have had to call the electrician to come and remove the piece that remained. This tool works wonderfully at removing the piece that is stuck in the socket! It is slow at first, and you might think it's not working, but just gently continue to turn the gadget in a counter-clockwise direction, and in a moment you will see that the piece is starting to come out. This gadget works so well that I bought an extra one just to have on hand in case the first one wears out. No more worries about having to change light bulbs. Hooray! Our household is just delighted with this light bulb remover!

They need a real short version so I could get the broken bulb out of my oven light

I was able to remove the broken stem of the light bulb w/o a problem. As for the broken light bulb w/the element sticking straight out I couldn't remove it. I was able to remove the element (after turning off the power) but the stem of the bulb is still there & I'm unable to remove it. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Concept is great. Execution is not. This did not grip the metal 'threads' left behind after a bulb exploded in my ceiling fan light kit. People said 'put a potatoe in it and turn. It will come out." I tried pliers-also failed. I had my doubts but ordered this. It did not work. I returned it.

I used these tools on a house that has over 60 flood lights and other regular light bulbs. Because the house was 20 years old, over 15 of the 60 bulbs were rusted and cracked between glass and the metal screw. The bigger remover worked like a charm on all that are reachable by hand or on a ladder. Unfortunately I can't use it to get to those requiring extension sticks. This would be my only gripe and request a new product that is designed to go on the 20-30' sticks to reach the high ceilings. The small one worked well on the smaller socket lamps. Overall a totally problem solving tool that is reasonable in price.